Nightmares

Chloe stood in front of the mirror, her eyes cast downward, revealing only her long, delicate lashes. Her jade-like face had a hint of alluring pink, and her rounded, upturned nose was a striking perfection. Her lips, though devoid of any lipstick, were still irresistibly rosy and moist.

Suddenly, she glanced at the clock on the wall; it was the umpteenth time she had checked the time. The hands pointed to 9 PM. She curved her lips into a radiant smile at her reflection, looking as breathtaking as a goddess fallen to earth.

Today was Valentine's Day, and like other couples, Chloe was also preparing to spend a romantic evening with her boyfriend, Amos.

Thinking of Amos's warm and handsome face, Chloe couldn't help but smile, despite pressing her lips together.

She checked the time again—9:05 PM. Chloe's delicate brows furrowed slightly.

They had agreed yesterday, when they parted, to have dinner together tonight and plan the rest of the evening. However, Amos later sent a message saying he had something to attend to and could only pick her up at 9 PM to celebrate Valentine's Day.

She had been sitting in front of the mirror since 5 PM, looking at herself, waiting. Her stomach had growled several times, yet she still had no appetite.

Tick-tock, tick-tock—the sound of the clock echoed in her heart, each tick making her more anxious.

Amos was always punctual, arriving early to every date.

But today...

Thinking this, she grew restless, stepping out of the house to check the door several times, but the person she was waiting for still hadn't appeared.

Suddenly, Chloe remembered that a few days ago, when she was dining with Amos, he had a sudden nosebleed. Could Amos be sick? Her heart clenched tightly.

No, it can't be! It can't be! She hurriedly reassured herself, but she could no longer wait. Grabbing her bag from the table, she rushed outside.

She dialed his number as she ran.

The phone rang again and again, but there was no answer.

Her heart tightened more with each ring. She quickly hailed a taxi and headed to Amos's place.

Just as she was on the verge of panic, her phone rang. Seeing the familiar number, a gentle smile immediately appeared on her fair face.

"Amos, you're..." She hadn't even finished speaking when a cold woman's voice interrupted her.

"Waiting for Amos, are you?" The woman on the other end couldn't conceal her smug tone.

"..." Chloe was stunned to hear a woman's voice on Amos's phone. The voice sounded familiar, but her mind was in such a haze that she couldn't place it.

Before Chloe could respond, the woman's smugness deepened. "Don't bother waiting. Just come to the W Hotel and find him."

W Hotel? Her mind went blank for a moment.

The word "hotel" easily conjured up thoughts of infidelity.

No, no, Amos isn't that kind of person.

As the dial tone droned in her ear, she dumbly uttered, "Hello...?"

The woman's voice was so familiar. A chill swept through her heart.

She instructed the driver to turn toward the W Hotel and gazed out the window, trying to ignore the woman's voice.

But instinctively, she felt something was wrong. Her chest tightened, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe. She gripped her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

When she got out of the car, she looked up at the sign, "W Hotel," glowing ominously, like a sinister monster, ready to devour her.

She felt a pang of dread, her feet heavy, unable to move. Clenching the phone slick with sweat, she bit her lip and walked into the lobby.

She forced herself not to think. Maybe, just maybe, Amos had planned something romantic for her tonight, a surprise.

She pressed the dial button, holding the phone tightly to her ear.

"...Hmm...who...is it..."

This time, it was indeed Amos's voice, but...why did it sound so strange?

She seemed to hear faint, heavy breathing and a suggestive murmur?

Boom...

Her mind felt like a bomb had gone off.

At 24 years old, even if she had never experienced it herself, she knew what those sounds meant.

She wanted to turn and run, but the woman's commanding voice came through the phone, "9013, get up here now, or don't regret it!"

Her hands were so slick with sweat that the phone almost slipped from her grip.

She was sure she recognized the woman's voice, but...her and him...no, she couldn't believe it unless she saw it with her own eyes!

Stubbornness was in Chloe's bones. If there was something she could figure out, she wouldn't let it remain unclear. If she started something, she would see it through to the end!

So, despite every nerve in her body screaming for her not to go, she stepped into the elevator.

***

Room 9013

Chloe stood at the door, taking deep breaths, her hand raised several times before she finally mustered the courage to grab the doorknob and push it open forcefully.

Click—

The door swung open easily, as if someone knew she would come and had already unlocked it for her.

The first thing she saw was a woman's dress, a man's suit, and a tie, all scattered messily across the floor.

That tie—

Chloe stared at the tie entangled with the woman's mini skirt, a sharp pain piercing her heart, causing her to sway slightly.

There were countless ties in the market of the same color and style, but she recognized it immediately—it was the Valentine's Day gift she had carefully chosen for him.

She had planned to give it to him today, but last night at dinner, she had teased him by waving the gift-wrapped box in front of him. He had been overjoyed, eagerly snatching it from her hands and tearing it open. When he saw the tie, he couldn't wait to put it around his neck. "Honey, I'll treasure it and keep it close always."

He had kissed her forehead. "Chloe, tomorrow, I'll give you a Valentine's Day you'll never forget. Trust me!" His warm breath brushed her face, and his handsome features looked so sincere. The steady beat of his heart had inexplicably reassured her.

But...

It had only been one night, and her humble, sincere heart had been discarded like a worthless rag, tangled up with that woman's dress, making her feel like a complete fool.